Delivering urgent care in the Redbank region

Darling Downs and West Moreton PHN has now opened the Request for Proposal for the new Medicare Urgent Care Clinic in the Redbank area, as recently announced by Milton Dick MP.

The Redbank Medicare UCC will provide free, urgent treatment for conditions that aren’t life threatening. Patients will be able to access care seven days a week, over extended hours, with no appointment required. The clinic will be bulk billed, only requiring a Medicare card.

The clinic will help reduce the number of people attending emergency departments for urgent, but non-life threatening, conditions, such as sprains, infections or cuts.

The Redbank Medicare UCC will be equipped to treat problems including:

• Minor illnesses (including respiratory illness, gastrointestinal illness, urinary tract infections and sexually transmitted infections),
• Minor injuries including closed fractures, simple lacerations, simple eye injuries and minor burns.

Through the tender process the PHN will determine the exact location for the Medicare UCC in the coming months to ensure that the clinic is up and running by the end of the year.

Darling Downs and West Moreton PHN CEO Lucille Chalmers said Medicare UCCs are about increasing access to immediate medical services in our community and avoiding unnecessary trips to the hospital.

“In our selection for a service provider for the Medicare UCC in Redbank, we’re considering things like accessibility of the location and the availability of GP services, as well as availability of pathology and radiology,” said Ms Chalmers.

“The Redbank Medicare UCC will help reduce the pressure on Ipswich Hospital Emergency Department by providing an appropriate short alternative for non-life threatening injuries or illnesses.

“The Medicare UCC is not a substitute for a patient’s usual doctor, who should continue to be the first point of contact for non-emergency, routine or preventative health care. In the case of an emergency, Triple Zero (000) remains the best point of contact.”

In 2022-23, 23 per cent of all presentations at Ipswich Hospital were for semi-urgent or non-urgent care. Implementing the clinic in Redbank can be expected to reduce presentations to Ipswich Hospital, saving the Emergency Department for true emergencies.

Further information on the Redbank Medicare Urgent Care Clinic can be on the PHN website.